My New Medication

So I started a new medication at the end of December. Enbrel. It is a shot I give myself, (I know eeeeeeeek, right!?!) in addition to my other medications. It is a medication in the "biologic" catagory, of RA meds. Basically the heavy hitters of RA and auto immune medications. There are a few biologics out there. But not tons. As in less than 20 for sure, probably less than 15, and most likely somewhere close to 10. And as far as I know, after you start them- you don't typically scale back down. From what I read about the biologic meds, they seem pretty famous for working for a bit and then they just stop working. Like your body gets used to it or something, and you have to switch. I have never read someone revisiting a biologic med after it was "off the table". Maybe it happens, but I haven't heard of it.

Truth is, I have been avoiding the biologics this whole time, hoping to use the the milder (read safer and WAY less scary, and WAY less expensive) RA medications to fight my disease. Biologics are only used for moderate to severe cases of RA. I didn't want to be in that category. I didn't want the expense, and the commitment. I didn't like what it all meant. My doctor had asked several times if I was ready for that step. I would always say lets tweek these meds and see what happens. So when I went in and ASKED myself to try one of the biologics, it was a pretty big deal around here. Why did I do it, you ask? Well, things were going well, that is to say better. Lots better. But it was like waking up after a long nap- I just started realizing how much of life had been stolen from me, and that I possibly could have it back. I was having days where I wasn't thinking about my RA first, and always. I could almost do lots of my favorite things again. Almost, but not quite. And then I would have a BIG flare and it would come crashing down. I starting thinking that maybe the biologics could put me over that edge. I could actually DO the things I love again, at least sometimes. And when I flared maybe I wouldn't have to climb back so far. I wanted my life back, and finally that desire outweighed the fear that came with the heavy hitter meds. So I went for it. At first nothing. But then slowly I just kept feeling better, and less sensitive, and more energetic. I am sold. This is worth it! I am running again. YEP running. It is like a small miracle to me. I am seriously so happy about it. And I can play with my kids, and just live again! I have had a bit of an allergy to the shot, but my doc hope that will go away in time. But I don't care, its working, I will freaking deal with a red and itchy swollen shot sight. CAUSE ITS WORKING!!! Once it made my whole leg swell- that wasn't fun, and if it gets too bad to handle we have to switch, throw Enbrel off the table and find me another one. I am reluctant to do that because of some of the reasons above. Plus, I don't want to mess with a good thing.... cause its working. :)